New York Yankees: Ben Heller could be a second half bullpen option
By Jason Evans
As the New York Yankees try to build up their pitching depth, Ben Heller could be an option for them out of the bullpen in the second half of the season
Part of why the New York Yankees sit with one of the best records in the entire sport in 2019 is what they did in 2016. They traded Aroldis Chapman and got Gleyber Torres and Billy McKinney, who they flipped last year for J.A. Happ.
They also dealt Andrew Miller to the Cleveland Indians for a package of prospects, headlined by Clint Frazier, who’s bat is clearly ready to roll, but has some questions defensively.
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Another part of that deal was for a power arm right-hander out of the bullpen named Ben Heller. Heller struggled in his first go-round with the New York Yankees in 2016. In the minors in 2017, Heller had a 2.88 ERA and struck out 82 batters in just 56.1 innings. He came up again and had a 0.82 ERA in 11 big league innings.
2018 was supposed to be the year for Heller to be a part of the New York Yankees bullpen, however, Heller needed Tommy John surgery and missed the entire season.
Heller is currently on the 60-day DL and in AAA completing a rehab assignment. He’s thrown 5.2 scoreless innings thus far during that assignment. The New York Yankees do have an open spot on the 40 man roster and once his assignment is complete, Heller can be another member of the Scranton Shuttle with Stephen Tarpley and Nestor Cortes Jr.
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Teams this time of year are always looking to bolster their depth one way or another. The New York Yankees are going to be looking to add pitching, but one option could be getting their own guys back from injury. While Dellin Betances and Luis Severino may not be close to a return, Ben Heller is and it’s very possible he’s an option over the final few months of the season.